Florida vs. South Carolina: What We Know About Skyler Mornhinweg and Why Winning May be More Fun Today Than Ever

It’s difficult to find many positives heading into Florida’s game with South Carolina on Saturday.

Can Skyler Mornhinweg lead the Gators to a massive upset against South Carolina?

As has been discussed ad nauseam, 10 Gators are out with season-ending injuries. The team has lost four games in a row, including their first home loss since 2011. They are mathematically eliminated from the SEC East race. They are likely to miss bowl season for the first time since 1990. They have to go on the road to face No. 10 South Carolina.

And now, word is that redshirt freshman quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg will make the start against the Gamecocks as Tyler Murphy battles a shoulder injury.

Here’s what we know about Mornhinweg:

He is the son of long-time NFL coach Marty Mornhinweg.

He is from Philadelphia.

He was Scout.com’s 61st-rated high school quarterback in the class of 2012.

He has practiced quite a bit with the first-team offense since Murphy was initially injured during Florida’s game against LSU on Oct. 12.

He has never taken a snap in a college game.

Head coach Will Muschamp said he is “extremely accurate with the ball.”

Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said, “You hope you never really have to play with a redshirt freshman.”

That last quote probably says it all. Mornhinweg may be good down the road, but he is not ready an SEC road game in the middle of November.

How could this game be fun for Gator fans?

Well, being the underdog makes a victory even sweeter. When people think you’re going to win, there’s an expectation. Pressure.

But when no one expects you to win, the weight of the world is lifted off your shoulders. And people can relate to a gritty underdog story. That’s why we love sports movies.

And it’s probably going to take a Hollywood script for Florida to shock the Gamecocks on Saturday.

Prediction

The Gamecocks defensive line is terrifying and one of the best in the country. Led by Jadeveon Clowney and Kelcy Quarles, they have 18 sacks on the season and will likely have some leverage against Florida’s patchwork offensive line.

Quarterback is undoubtedly a position of need for the Florida Gators. Could Houston quarterback John O’Korn be new coach Jim McElwain’s solution? Reports have the sophomore, benched this season for the Coug